Showing posts with label Lesson Plans & Teacher Resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lesson Plans & Teacher Resources. Show all posts

19.5.25

The Tragic Genius of Daedalus: Greek Myth for Teens

The Tragic Genius of Daedalus : Greek Myth for Teens

I’ve always had a conflicted relationship with stories about fathers and sons, which is why the myth of Daedalus has always spoken to me. On the surface, Daedalus is a hero—sometimes even described as a demigod. But look deeper and you'll find a darker tale. Daedalus, the legendary Athenian inventor, is a prototype for the scientist-artist: brilliant, creative, but deeply flawed.

Growing up, my own father worked in an oil plant as a mechanic—far from a Daedalus figure. Yet, I always admired the idea of the accomplished, technically-skilled dad, full of techne. In the Greek myth, Daedalus becomes jealous of his gifted nephew, Talos, and pushes him from the heights of the Acropolis. Some versions say Talos dies; others that he’s transformed into a partridge. Either way, Daedalus is convicted and exiled.

In Crete, Daedalus is caught up in King Minos’s political games, building the labyrinth to contain the monstrous Minotaur. The web of myths—Minos, Pasiphaë, the bull, Theseus, and Ariadne—all spiral around Daedalus. But at the heart is a theme that feels painfully modern: the unintended consequences of genius and ambition.

Eventually, Daedalus and his son Icarus attempt their escape from Crete on wings fashioned from wax and feathers. Despite his father's warnings, Icarus flies too close to the sun; the wax melts and he falls into the sea. The story is a cautionary tale—about invention, about parenting, and about the tragic cost of overreaching. Talos and Icarus are both sacrifices, consumed by Daedalus's drive and flaws.

This myth still resonates today: human innovation can bring light—or unleash disaster. Whether it's fossil fuels, AI, or air conditioning, our inventions often have unintended consequences. We, like Daedalus, are both brilliant and blind to the costs.

After Athens and Crete, Daedalus ends up on the island of King Cocalus, still inventing, still being hunted by Minos. His cleverness solves the riddle of the spiral shell, but it also gives him away. Even at the end, he cannot stop inventing—no matter the danger.

So are we the inheritors of our fathers’ mistakes, or do we forge our own paths? Teaching the myth of Daedalus to teenagers is challenging but rewarding. The themes—creativity, jealousy, consequence—are universal and deeply relevant.

I’ve created a classroom-ready lesson plan on Daedalus for middle and high school ELA teachers. It’s perfect for units on Greek mythology, invention, or even modern novels like Percy Jackson. Bring this compelling story to your students—and add it to your teaching toolbox!

PDF Copy for Printing

Download the Daedalus & Icarus Lesson Plan

Explore the full resource—discussion prompts, activities, visuals, and more for the Daedalus myth:

18.5.25

Gorgeous Lesson Activity for The Vatican Apostolic Palace — Perfect for Art History, Humanities, and English Language Arts (Grades 10-12)

Explore the Vatican Apostolic Palace After Pope Leo XIV’s Election

Bring the renewed buzz surrounding the Vatican Apostolic Palace straight into your classroom! Our print-and-digital lesson lets students in grades 10-12 investigate how papal power, art, and architecture intersect, using maps, primary sources, and CCSS-aligned analysis tasks.

Why You’ll Love This Resource

  • Interdisciplinary power: Perfect for Art History, Social Studies, and ELA crossover units.
  • Primary-source rich: Includes Mary W. Arms’s 1909 account of an audience with Pope Pius X, plus two lavishly illustrated cards on the Sala Regia and Sala Ducal.
  • Two vintage maps: A 1929 Vatican City plan and a 1914 floor map of the palace help students visualize the popes’ world.
  • Ready-to-teach supports: Teacher notes, Cornell and illustrated notetakers, Frayer vocabulary model, 23-question bank, exit tickets, and a two-point rubric keep planning time low.

Inside the Download

Formats: PDF • Google Slides

Student-facing materials — anchor charts of key figures and places, guided overview text, map activities, primary-source reading card, supplemental art cards, notecatchers, vocabulary practice, and exit tickets.
Teacher-facing materials — answer keys, rubric, and extension ideas that invite students to research figures like Bernini, Bramante, and Pope Sixtus V.

Classroom Ideas

  1. Map Race: Assign small groups a list of palace rooms—first team to locate them on the 1914 plan wins candy.
  2. Socratic Seminar: Use the question bank to debate whether modern popes should still live in the Apostolic Palace.
  3. Art + Lit Connection: Pair Vasari’s frescoes of papal triumphs with passages from Dante or Petrarch for a thematic collage.

Ready to Dive In?

Download the free resource and add it to your teacher toolkit, and let your students traverse centuries of Vatican history without leaving their seats.

© 2025 Stones of Erasmus. Public-domain images courtesy of Google Books and The New York Public Library.

17.5.25

Plato's Allegory of the Cave Lesson for Middle & High School | Philosophy & ELA

Explore Plato’s Allegory of the Cave with easy-to-follow lessons, engaging questions, and activities perfect for humanities and philosophy classes.

If you want to teach philosophy to young people, use this lesson plan to introduce students to Plato’s theory of reality. I was inspired to create this resource when I retold the story of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave (from The Republic) in plain language. In the tale, one prisoner wakes up and questions what is real and what is not. Let your class read the narrative, then use the comprehension and discussion activities to explore Plato’s metaphysics.

This resource is optimized for distance learning. It includes an editable Google Docs link so you can adapt it for Google Classroom or any LMS.

What’s Inside

Essential Question: How do I know what is really real?

  • Complete text of the story
    • Retold in student-friendly English—ideal for read-alouds or paired reading.
  • 15 Reading Comprehension Questions
    • Perfect for homework or a flipped-classroom assignment.
  • 6 Discussion Questions
    • Great for group work or a carousel activity—get students moving!
  • Two-World Theory Chart
    • Graphic organizer to visualize Plato’s worldview.
  • 3 Google Forms Assessments (with answer keys)
  • Suggested Lesson Plan—step-by-step guidance
  • Annotated Bibliography for extension and research projects

Suggested Uses

  1. Humanities: Ancient Greece
  2. World History: History of Ideas
  3. Literature Studies
  4. Ethics — see it in action with 8th-graders here
  5. Introduction to Philosophy
  6. Advisory or SEL: Truth, Appearance vs. Reality

© 2025 Stones of Erasmus

16.5.25

Launch of Stones of Erasmus Store: Free Greek Myth Genealogy Charts & $3 Tyche/Nemesis Lesson Plan – 300th Digital Download

🎉 New Storefront + 300th Digital Download!

Since 2015 I’ve been running Stones of Erasmus, a home for education, art, literature, and creative sparks. Today I’m thrilled to unveil my brand-new storefront and celebrate my 300th digital resource with two featured downloads.

Free Greek-Mythology Genealogy Charts (15 pages)


Tyche and Nemesis Lesson Activity ($3)
What's Inside?
  • Tyche & Nemesis Lesson Plan – explores Fortune, fate, and moral balance; Common Core, VA SOL, and TEKS aligned; includes question banks, writing tasks, and flexible pacing (only $3).
  • Greek-Mythology Genealogy Charts – 15 beautifully designed family trees clarifying divine and heroic lineages. Ideal for anchor charts, posters, or LMS uploads – free for life.

Why Download?

These resources save prep time, deepen myth comprehension, and look great on classroom walls or digital slides. Add them to your toolkit now—future you (and your students) will thank you!

Visit Stones of Erasmus for TpT, Made By Teachers, and The Stones of Erasmus Storefront

PDF Copy for Printing 

15.5.25

The Wheel of Fortune, Tyche & Fortuna: Why Luck Still Spins Our Lives

The Real Meaning Behind The Wheel of Fortune

Hey, y’all! Ever blurt out “the wheel of fortune” or tune in as Pat Sajak and Vanna White stand beside that squeaky, nerve-racking game-show wheel? That cliff-hanger moment—big prize or Bankrupt—isn’t just television drama. It’s pure mythology.


Meet Tyche & Fortuna: Goddesses of Chance

Tyche (Greek) and her Roman twin Fortuna personify luck, fate, and glorious randomness. Artists usually show them brandishing …

  • 🌽 Cornucopia – overflowing abundance
  • 🛶 Rudder – steering the course of life
  • 🌍 Globe or Wheel – the dizzy spin of destiny

Unlike the three Fates, who measure and clip fixed life-threads, Tyche and Fortuna swoop in as the wild cards. One spin can shower you with gifts—or toss you into chaos.

Quick art history dive: Tyche & Fortuna through the ages ↑

Modern Spin: Job Hunts & Game Shows

I’m currently pitching résumés for next school year. Every application feels like a wager on Tyche’s wheel—talent ✔️, timing ✔️, and a dash of sheer luck. Sound familiar?

Spot the Goddess IRL

Next time you see a statue or painting of a woman with a cornucopia, rudder, or spinning wheel, remember: she’s the original spinner of fortune, quietly shaping the idioms we toss around today.


Classroom Bonus: Buy Me a Coffee and Get a Two-Day Lesson Plan

Ready to let students spin their own wheel of fate? Download my Tyche & Nemesis lesson — complete with illustrated reading cards, discussion prompts, exit tickets, and an anchor chart that’s both print-and-digital-ready.

⬇️ Grab the Lesson on Tyche & Nemesis

P.S. If this resource saves you planning time, consider buying me a much-needed bodega coffee ☕️—and may Tyche steer both of us toward good fortune!

— Greig @ Stones of Erasmus

PDF Copy for Printing

2.5.25

Free Lesson on Homer, the Blind Poet: Launch Your Greek Mythology Unit with Ease!

Kickstart Your Greek Mythology Unit with a Free Homer Lesson!

Hello, fellow educators! My name is Greig, and I've been teaching English language arts and humanities for over 15 years. One of my favorite teaching strategies is frontloading units with engaging background lessons—and that's exactly why I've created this brand-new free lesson on Homer, the Blind Poet of Ancient Greece.

If you're gearing up to teach The Iliad and The Odyssey, you know how important — and sometimes tricky — it is to help students grasp the rich context behind these epic masterpieces. This freebie makes that task easy, interactive, and fun!

Why Teach Homer First?

Before diving into Achilles’ rage or Odysseus’ adventurous homecoming, it's crucial students understand a few big ideas:

  • Who was Homer? We dive into the legendary poet's life (and the mysteries around him), illustrated beautifully with images, including Raphael’s famous fresco from the Vatican Museums.
  • The "Homeric Question." Spark lively discussions with your students about the nature of authorship and oral storytelling in ancient cultures.
  • Cultural & literary connections. How did Homer shape Greek mythology, moving from nature-spirits to fully-realized divine personalities like Zeus, Hera, and Aphrodite?

What You'll Get in This Free Resource

  • 📚 Illustrated Reading Cards: Adapted from secondary sources to boost comprehension and engagement.
  • 📅 Two-Day Lesson Pacing Guide: Detailed teacher notes and clear lesson structure.
  • 🗺️ Anchor Chart: Easily print or digitally distribute, introducing key characters and concepts visually.
  • ✍️ Interactive Task Cards & Question Bank: Use for trivia games, assessments, or engaging classroom discussions.
  • 📝 Exit Tickets & Cornell Notes: Quick, effective assessments capturing student writing and insights in real-time.
  • 🎨 Frayer Model Vocabulary Templates: Visual vocabulary instruction to deeply embed key terms.
  • 🔖 Further Reading List & Answer Keys: Comprehensive teacher support included.

Seamlessly Digital & Printable

Whether your classroom is paper-based, digital, or blended, this lesson fits perfectly. You'll receive PDFs for easy printing and Google Slides and Easel Activities compatible with Google Classroom and other LMS platforms.

Standards-Aligned & Classroom-Tested

This resource aligns effortlessly with multiple standards:

  • Citing textual evidence
  • Determining central ideas and themes
  • Mastering vocabulary in context
  • Collaborative discussion skills

Perfect for ELA and humanities classrooms—grades 6 through 10, easily adaptable for advanced younger learners, too!

Ready to Dive In?

Get your students excited and curious about ancient Greek literature. This resource is completely free and ready for immediate download:

Download Now from Teachers Pay Teachers!

If you love this resource or have questions, please leave a comment, review, or reach out directly at support@stonesoferasmus.com.

Happy teaching and may your unit on Homer be truly epic!

— Greig from Stones of Erasmus

PDF Copy for Printing

1.5.25

Behind the Scenes of a Teacher-Creator: How I Turn an Idea into a Resource You Can Use in Your Classroom Tomorrow

Peek behind the scenes! Discover how I turn sparks of inspiration into engaging classroom resources.

A writing assessment exit ticket on a lesson from Stones of Erasmus on Perseus
A Writing Assessment I made for the Greek hero Perseus

Have you ever wondered how educational resources get made — the ones you find on Teachers Pay Teachers, Made by Teachers, or my blog Stones of Erasmus? Whether it's a freebie you love or a bundle you buy, there's a whole ecosystem behind the scenes. And while every teacher-author works a bit differently, I thought I'd lift the curtain on my creative process — from random idea to clickable download.

Let me take you through the ride. Buckle in.


Step 1: The Idea Vault (a.k.a. my Google Doc on Steroids)

It all starts with an idea — usually when I’m on the Q train or in between classes, or in line for coffee. I keep a living Google Doc titled “Content Creation Ideas” that I add to constantly. It’s a messy but magical place filled with sparks: “Ooh, this could be a cool writing prompt,” or “I need a better way to teach allegory!” Let’s just say … I have no shortage of ideas.

Step 2: The Sandbox – Where Ideas Become Real Resources

I call it “the sandbox.” This is where I play, build, and iterate. Here, I:

  • Build out slides, PDFs, or Google Forms.
  • Make crisp, clean illustrations with Illustrator.
  • Clean up and make pretty public-domain images with Photoshop.
  • Draft assessments and answer keys.
  • Design for print and digital use.
  • Differentiate content for different learning needs.
  • Add enrichment features like further reading guides or vocabulary extensions.
This stage can take anywhere from two days to two weeks — or more if I’m creating something big (like my recent multi-day unit on the Iliad and the Odyssey).

Step 3: Securing the Files — PDF Magic & Editable Slides

Once the sandbox closes, I move into the technical zone. I use tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro to flatten and secure my PDFs. For digital resources, I lock down Google Slides so the parts I want to stay put stay put — and the parts you can edit stay editable.

Step 4: Listing It Online — Making the Storefront Shine

Writing the product listing means:

  • Crafting an SEO-friendly title.
  • Writing a clear, helpful description.
  • Choosing keywords so other teachers can find it.
  • Adding engaging thumbnails and previews.
This is where your resource enters the world.

Step 5: Marketing It — Without Feeling Like a Car Salesman

Once listed, it’s time to let people know! Sometimes, I write a blog post about the myth or topic I covered. I might email my followers or make a short video explaining how to use it in the classroom.

Marketing is about connecting: “Here’s something I made. I think it’ll help. Let me show you how.”

Step 6: Linking It All Together

This final step is about integration. I connect blog posts to store listings, products to related products — helping teachers find exactly what they need and improving visibility.


Final Thoughts

Making educational resources is part pedagogy, part creativity, part tech wizardry — and a lot of coffee. Every resource I share has gone through this journey. I hope knowing what happens behind the scenes helps you appreciate the labor of love in every clickable download.

If you're a fellow teacher-author: keep sandboxing, keep linking, keep creating. We’re building something meaningful.

Homer, Blind Poet

Of course, this post wouldn’t be complete without sharing one of my polished, ready-to-use resources. Click to download a two-day lesson introducing Homer, Blind Poet, with extension activities.

Download for free from TpT, Made By Teachers, and here on my Blog.

If you enjoy using my resources, drop a positive comment below about how you used it.


Greig Roselli
Educator, Writer, Mythology Nerd, and the Heart Behind Stones of Erasmus

17.4.25

What Three People Said About Using My Humanities Resources in the Classroom with Actual Students

Discover what educators are saying about my engaging, classroom-tested Humanities and ELA resources for middle and high school teachers and students.

Stones of Erasmus is more than just a blog; it is where I go to create fun, engaging humanities resources that spark meaningful conversations and inspire students from grades 6-12.

Teachers, parents, and administrators love my resources! Rebekah shared that she used them “first with adult ESL students and then with my teenage sons as a conversation game,” adding that “the hook and realness of the issues” resonated with both her sons and her students. Frances, who had never taught philosophy before, said, “My students were engaged while reading and discussing the different philosophers. Thanks for putting it all together for us!”


I create fun, engaging Middle and High School ELA activities loved by teachers, perfect for philosophy, mythology, and diverse, growth-minded classrooms.

20.3.25

Unlocking Greek Mythology: Fresh Vocabulary Lessons Your Students Will Love Before Spring Break!

I bet you are ready for Spring Break (or maybe it has already started)—especially if you teach middle and high school. I know I am. Whether you are teaching mythology to middle school students in an ELA class, or you are diving into Homer's epics with high school students—the weeks before spring break are an effective time to do something different with all those myths you are reading. Bernard Evslin, in his fantastic book of Greek myth, has a chapter on vocabulary called "When Myth Becomes Language". I have created a slew of resources to connect the murky, enigmatic myths we read with kids to how these stories are part of our everyday life and language. Check it out, and I guarantee your students will appreciate the fresh look (while helping them build academic vocabulary).

I sell quality humanities-content on TpT.
Thank you for supporting Stones of Erasmus.
Bring Greek Mythology into Everyday Life: Engaging Lessons on How Myth Becomes Language!
Are your students fascinated by Greek myths but wondering how these ancient stories relate to their lives today? Inspired by Bernard Evslin's insightful exploration of myth and language, these classroom-ready resources vividly demonstrate how mythology permeates our everyday vocabulary and expressions.
Perfectly suited for middle school ELA classes or high school students diving into Homer’s epics, this collection offers an exciting shift from traditional teaching—especially ideal for the energizing weeks leading up to Spring Break!
Your students will:
✓ Explore engaging vocabulary activities that directly link mythical stories to modern language.
✓ Discover how common words and expressions originated from the rich tapestry of Greek mythology.
✓ Participate in interactive exercises that build essential academic vocabulary skills aligned with Common Core Standards.
✓ Make meaningful connections between ancient texts and contemporary life, deepening their appreciation and understanding of literature.
Students love working with these myth-related vocabulary cards.
Buy them on the Stones of Erasmus TpT store.

Classroom-tested and designed for active engagement, these lessons turn mythology into accessible, intriguing, and highly relevant content your students will love. Boost student enthusiasm and vocabulary retention with this dynamic, practical resource set.
Digital Download: Comprehensive, easy-to-use materials guaranteed to add depth and excitement to your ELA and Humanities curriculum.
Free Mythology Resource
Not sure what to teach next? Here's a freebie to get you started. I compiled some of my most popular reading cards from units I have assembled for Stones of Erasmus.

Stones of Erasmus QR Code for Fee Resource

Note to My Readers about Paid Content on Stones of Erasmus
This blog post advertises digital content I make and sell as part of my side hustle on TpT—just like my lovely blog, it is also called Stones of Erasmus! Thanks for supporting me on this humanities-inspired journey.
Let us know what you think by dropping a line support@stonesoferasmus.com. Also, if you like my stuff, write a review. TPT is pretty amazing and they will give you TPT credits for writing a review. And it helps buyers know what they are getting before they click purchase.

14.2.24

Valentine, Christian Martyr and Saint — Resources for the Middle and High School Humanities and English Language Arts Classroom

Hey, y'all. I feel like Valentine's Day is such an ingrained part of American school life; however, few of us know the actual, legendary story. So—let's rectify that with a true-to-the-source resource on Valentine, a Christian martyr from Rome in the Third Century. Let's go!


You'll love this historically-based resource detailing the mystery surrounding Valentine the Saint and Valentine's Day. Download it here from my TpT store.

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm thrilled to share my latest educational adventure with you! We're diving into the mysterious world of Saint Valentine, a figure whose story is as fascinating as it is enigmatic. In 1969, the Catholic Church made the intriguing decision to remove Saint Valentine from its liturgical calendar, citing doubts about his true identity. Was there one Valentine, or several figures merging into this legendary name? This captivating question is the cornerstone of our new resource, designed to spark curiosity and critical thinking among students.

What's Inside This Resource?
  • Print and Digital Access: Get your hands on both PDF and Google Workspace formats, plus Easel integration.
  • Three-Day Lesson Plan: Complete with insightful teacher's notes.
  • Key Characters and Places Anchor Chart: Situate Valentine in his ancient Roman milieu of the 3rd century.
  • Reading Cards: Dive into the 'Lives of the Saints' and a detailed dictionary entry on Saint Valentine, each enriched with art and literary connections.
  • Note-taking Template & 16-Question Bank: Tailored for both teachers and students.
  • Exit Ticket: A crucial tool for assessing student understanding and a foundation for research and writing assignments.
  • Frayer Model Vocabulary Template: Engage students visually and creatively in understanding vocabulary.
  • Research Paper Prompt: Encourage students to explore the historical depths of Saint Valentine's life and legends.
  • Further Reading List: Far from just a bibliography, this is a treasure trove for deeper exploration and student projects.

Designed for middle and high schoolers, this resource fits seamlessly into thematic lessons around Saint Valentine's Day in English Language Arts and Humanities classes.


Even More Love for Your Lessons:

  1. Three Myths of Lovers
  2. Tales of Love and Discord
  3. Pygmalion and Galatea

Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Higher Education, Adult Education, Homeschooler, Not Grade Specific - TeachersPayTeachers.com
Find teacher-related resources
on the Stones of Erasmus TpT Store.

For full access to this resource and more, navigate to my website, Stones of Erasmus. Let's explore the heart of history together!




5.8.23

Unleashing Creativity: Crafting Engaging Digital Content for Humanities Education

Dive into the world of digital content creation for middle and high school humanities education. Discover how public domain resources are transformed into engaging and fun learning materials.

As a passionate educator, I've dedicated countless hours to crafting engaging digital content for middle and high school humanities teachers. The intricate process involves dozens of steps and takes up to six hours per listing. But the result? A treasure trove of resources that bring depth and engagement to the classroom.

My journey begins with sourcing public domain content from libraries such as the New York Public Library digital collections and public domain content I find on Google Books and from the Library of Congress. These timeless resources serve as the foundation upon which I build. I then add my original lesson plans, question banks, exit tickets, writing prompts, and activities. The aim? To create content that not only educates but also captivates.

Sometimes, the raw materials need a little sprucing up. An illustration from a nineteenth-century book might be old and dingy, or text from a public domain source might be outdated. That's where Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator come into play, helping me breathe new life into these resources. 
Revitalizing history: the top image showcases my restoration of a 19th-century lithograph, significantly enhancing its clarity compared to the original below. Retrieved from the NYPL digital collection.
My favorites? Mythology resources and philosophy activities. There's something incredibly rewarding about bringing these age-old disciplines to life for today's students. It's a labor of love, and I'm always excited about dreaming up what I should create next. Join me on this journey of making learning more engaging and fun, one digital resource at a time.
I partner with TpT to provide educational content for Humanities and English language arts teachers.

3.8.23

Engaging ELA Lessons: Exploring the Greek Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with Middle and High School Students

Dive into the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with a comprehensive, interactive, and distance-learning-optimized ELA resource.
Stones of Erasmus offers an Educational Download designed to teach the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice

In the realm of English Language Arts (ELA), the ancient, tragic tale of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice offers a rich tapestry of themes and lessons for middle and high school students. Stones of Erasmus has created a comprehensive educational resource that provides an engaging, interactive, and distance-learning optimized approach to this timeless tale.

Orpheus stands at the precipice of the underworld, known as Orcus in Roman mythology — and, as Hades in Greek mythology. This signifies the moment in the enduring myth of Orpheus when the gifted musician, driven by desperate love and profound grief, dares to venture into the realm of the dead. His aim, to retrieve his beloved Eurydice, would become one of the most poignant tales of love, loss, and the power of art in ancient myth.
Orpheus enters the underworld.
Image Credit: NYPL Digital Collections
Orpheus stands at the precipice of the underworld, known as Orcus in Roman mythology — and, as Hades in Greek mythology. This signifies the moment in the enduring myth of Orpheus when the gifted musician, driven by desperate love and profound grief, dares to venture into the realm of the dead. His aim, to retrieve his beloved Eurydice, would become one of the most poignant tales of love, loss, and the power of art in ancient myth.

The story of Orpheus, the divine musician who loses his wife Eurydice twice, is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the creative power of music and art. Our resource brings this myth to life in the classroom, whether virtual or physical, through a variety of activities and discussion prompts.

Over a three-day lesson plan, students will delve into the myth, analyze its characters and themes, and engage in critical thinking. The resource includes:

  • 1. Art + Literature Connections: Students compare the myth with artwork by renowned artists like Auguste Rodin, fostering a deeper understanding of the story.

  • 2. Reading Cards: This lesson is most effective when supplemented with diverse texts from Edith Hamilton's Mythology, Bulfinch's Mythology, and Ovid's Metamorphoses. However, the resource also includes an introductory dictionary entry on classic Greek and Roman mythology for a comprehensive start.

  • 3. Reading Comprehension and Critical Thinking Questions: These questions encourage students to delve deeper into the text, promoting comprehension and critical thinking.

  • 4. Frayer Model Vocabulary Cards: This visual approach to vocabulary helps students understand terms, geography, and challenging words in the context of the story.

  • 5. Exit Tickets: These provide immediate feedback on students' understanding of the lesson, helping teachers adjust future instruction as needed.

  • 6. Essay Writing Activity: This activity caps off the lesson, allowing students to express their understanding of the myth in a creative way.

Our resource aligns well with the Common Core Standards, particularly the reading literature standard that encourages the analysis of a subject or key scene in two different artistic mediums.

Whether used as a stand-alone lesson or paired with a larger unit on Myth, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Robert Graves’s Greek Myths, or Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, or Parallel Myths by J.F. Bierlein, this resource offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the tragic love story of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Link to the Stones of Erasmus TpT store

For more resources like this, visit the Stones of Erasmus TpT store, and join us on our journey to make ELA education more engaging and interactive.